Man suspected in midtown arson fire cuffed after stolen auto incident

James Lawrence Flynn IV, 34, of Iola, was booked Thursday afternoon into the Shawnee County Jail on suspicion of four counts of aggravated arson and felony motor vehicle theft.

Robert Michael Rolin, 32, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on Thursday afternoon in connection with felony motor vehicle theft and two probation violations.

A 34-year-old Iola man — later tied to an arson blaze Wednesday in central Topeka — was spotted in a stolen vehicle by police early Thursday and ultimately arrested after being tracked on foot through the snow, authorities said.

Topeka Fire Department Investigator Michael Martin said James Lawrence Flynn IV was arrested on suspicion of four counts of aggravated arson, which stems from a blaze reported early Wednesday evening in the 500 block of S.W. Clay that inflicted $25,000 in damages.

Flynn and a second person were nabbed by police early Thursday on the city’s southeast side, said Topeka police Lt. Chuck Haggard.

The situation unfolded when police saw two men — Flynn and Robert Michael Rolin, 32, of Topeka — in a stolen vehicle near S.E. 29th and Maryland. Officers wouldn’t chase the vehicle because of the wintry conditions, Haggard said, and lost sight of the vehicle.

Shortly afterward, the vehicle was found unoccupied several blocks north near S.E. 22nd and Maryland. The two were nabbed by police in the 2100 block of S.E. Pennsylvania, Haggard said, which is just a block or two away from where the vehicle was abandoned.

“They bailed and were tracked through snow until located on foot,” Haggard said.

Martin said the stolen vehicle matter was unrelated to the incendiary flames, which were investigated by the fire department with assistance from police.

In addition to the aggravated arson counts, jail records indicated Flynn was being held in connection with felony motor vehicle theft.

Flynn was nonbondable at the Shawnee County Jail on Thursday afternoon.

Jail records showed Rolin was booked on suspicion of felony motor vehicle theft and on two probation violations. He, too, was being held without bond.

Fire crews responded to the intentionally set blaze about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday at 525 S.W. Clay St. on a report of a structure fire with smoke visible and people possibly trapped inside.

Martin said four occupants were inside the two-story building that houses several apartment units. All were able to escape safely on their own.

Emergency personnel first reported flames visible from the upper portion of the rear of the dwelling and thick black smoke pouring from the front door.

Firefighters had the flames under control in 15 to 20 minutes in the frigid, snowy and icy conditions.

Investigators determined the blaze originated in an enclosed porch on the rear of the structure.

The fire department on Thursday estimated the damage at $25,000 — $20,000 to the structure and $5,000 to its contents.

Shawnee County appraiser records indicate the building was valued at $48,900 and its owner to be a Hiawatha man.